Detroit Free Press from Detroit, Michigan • Page 43

DETROIT FREE PRESSFRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 1990 7D "-T" -1 eadset for headstrong Spielman wants to assist coaches during recuperation -J I 1 "I a i if in i I Chris Spielman's right shoulder was hurting and he was slightly groggy from the pain pills, but he was back in the Lions' locker room Thursday barely 24 hours after surgery. "I can't sit at home," said the Lions' Pro Bowl linebacker. "I'd go crazy." Spielman underwent surgery Wednesday to remove arthritic debris and was put on injured reserve, which means he will CURT Sylvester NFL miss tour games. He will accompany the team to Tampa Bay for Sunday night's game and hopes to keep busy on the headphones to the press box. "I can relay messages to guys playing," Spielman said.

"I might see things on the Detroit Free Press I Jim Ninowski (above left) and Karl Sweetan (above right) didn't last long as the No. 1 quarterback. But even the Lions' greatest of 'em all Bobby Layne had more than his share of detractors. THOSE AT THE IIELA1 "I love Dan Hampton, except that I'll beat him," Ditka said. "Fridge (William Perry) has $1,000 on me." Hampton said if he lost, he'd kiss Ditka in downtown Chicago.

MIAMI NICE: Thanks to halfback Sam-mie Smith and former Lions fullback Tony Paige, the Dolphins no longer must depend entirely on Dan Marino's arm to move the football. With Paige as his lead blocker, Smith has run an NFL-leading 215 yards and the Dolphins (27th in the NFL rushing last year) are second in the NFL with 305 yards. It took them into the fifth game last season to get that many yards. GOOD WORK, JETS: One of the beefs the New York Jets had with former coach Joe Walton was that he was too critical. It's not a problem with new coach Bruce Coslet, as defensive back James Hasty noted after their first victory Sunday.

"It was strange to hear someone say, 'You did a good job, and do the same thing next Hasty said. "There was no name-calling. The guys were treated like men. In the past, there was a lot of finger-pointing. It was degrading to some guys." Walton is now the offensive nator at Pittsburgh.

In two games, the Steelers' offense has not scored a touchdown. BEAR FORECAST: With Chicago and Minnesota scheduled to meet Sunday at Soldier Field, somebody dug up Hampton's preseason prediction. "Green Bay won't win eight games; Minnesota, they'll be darned lucky to win 10," Hampton said. "I think we'll win 12. I'll bet either Detroit or Tampa Bay will have a better record than Green Bay, and I'll bet even more we'll have a better record than Minnesota." Vikings defensive lineman Keith Millard replied this week: "I think he'll probably have a different perspective after they play us Sunday.

At least, I hope so. He's got a lot nerve saying that coming off a 6-10 season, but that was a preseason prediction so I won't take it to heart." The Vikings have lost five straight on the road. Making The Rounds-. The Lions-Tampa Bay game Sunday night on TNT cable (also Channel 2 in Detroit) will be the Buccaneers' first prime-time appearance since they lost to Green Bay, 12-9 in overtime, in 1983 at Tampa. Cornerback Reyna Thompson, who played 1986-88 at Miami, showed up at the New York Giants' practice Wednesday in his wrinkled old Dolphins jersey and a battered Miami cap.

"I felt like taking a trip down memory lane," he said. 49ers linebacker Keith DeLong wrote the defensive plays on his left hand to help prepare for his starting assignment Sunday against Atlanta. "I'll study the plays before we play and before I wash my hands," he said. When John Elway brought Denver back to beat Kansas City, 24-23, in the closing minutes Monday night, it was his 17th fourth-quarter game-winning rally in 113 games. It is believed only San Francisco's Joe Montana (24) and former Dallas quarterback Roger Staubach (23) have more Free safety Steve Atwater made seven tackles against Chiefs fullback Christian Okoye, and the Broncos held him to 69 yards on 20 carries.

Denver defensive coordinator Wade Phillips said: "I'll bet the big Nigerian went home and had some Atwater nightmares." The Seattle Seahawks have dumped the run 'n' shoot except for occasional use. They'll stick to the two-back Ground Chuck that has been Chuck Knox's game for years. Pittsburgh tackle Tunch Ilkin, a Pro Bowl reserve last season, has been called for five false starts in two games Raiders defensive end Howie Long on his broken toe suffered Sunday at Seattle: "It felt like it was 20 seconds happening. My knee hurt. My ankle hurt.

My foot hurt, and then I figured out what hurt the worst." Dallas defensive tackle Dean Hamel, formerly with Washington, on Redskins coach Joe Gibbs' obsession with beating the Cowboys: "If Gibbs could beat any team it would always be Dallas. He said, 'We can go 1-15 but if it's Dallas we beat, I'll be happy with Company reported offering $20 million for Maradona NAPLES, Italy A Japanese company reportedly is offering almost $20 million for the rights to Argentine soccer star Diego Maradona. field Herb might not see from the press box." Herb Paterra coaches Lions linebackers. Spielman said he will resume limited workouts Monday. "Obviously I'm disappointed about missing four weeks but, in a way, I'm relieved it's fixed and I don't have to go through what I went through the last three weeks," he said.

"I'm looking forward to coming back pain free and hungry to play." TRACE OVER TONY: Defensive end Trace Armstrong's play against Green Bay last Sunday graded out higher than any other defensive lineman had graded in coach Mike Ditka's previous eight years with the Bears. Among other things, Armstrong made two sacks, forced two fumbles, recovered a fumble and deflected a pass. The victim of his big game? Tony Mandarich, a former Michigan Stater who continues to struggle with pass blocking. Incidentally, Ditka challenged defensive tackle Dan Hampton to a 40-yard dash after watching Hampton pursuing Packers quarterback Anthony Dilweg. Controversy atQBalions' tradition George Puscas, from Page ID swelled dramatically when, three weeks before the season ended, Layne suffered a broken ankle.

Rote came off the bench to finish the season and led the Lions to a stunning 59-14 rout of Cleveland for the NFL title. "Rote's the guy who won it for us," coach George Wilson chortled. Layne, long accustomed to a starring role, sulked in the background through the 1958 training camp as debate raged over who deserved to quarterback the champions into the new season him or Rote. Ultimately, Layne was picked. But the controversy had taken its toll: Layne and the Lions together were never quite the same, and before long that season, he was traded to Pittsburgh.

Three of the five quarterbacks the Lions drafted during Layne's eight seasons in Detroit are memorable, although none ever offered a serious challenge to his leadership. The Lions brought in Jim Hardy from Southern Cal in 1952. Like Layne, he was fun-loving. One morning, he got a pail full of jock straps, dyed them green, then rented a plane and buzzed the Lions' practice field, showering the players with his quaint gifts. Then in 1955, the Lions got Harry Gilmer from Washington; 10 years later, he became their head coach.

In 1957, they drafted Jack Kemp; he never played a regular-season game for the Lions, but might someday become our president. It's no exaggeration to say the Lions still are searching and crying for Layne's equal. They have not won an NFL title since he left. One quarterback after another has been tried; none has held the No. 1 job for more than two or three seasons.

Layne, in fact, no sooner was gone than Rote curiously lost his touch and charm, and departed after the '59 season. The Lions entered the 1960s with an almost comic-book approach to quarterbacking. Jim Nin-owski, an all-stater at Detroit's Pershing High in 1954 who later played at Michigan State, came over from Cleveland to replace Rote in 1960. Playing behind him was Earl Morrall, who had been an All-America at MSU. Ninowski was prone to interceptions and giving up the ball; Morrall, waiting in reserve, showed he could live more dangerously.

Mowing his lawn shortly before training camp one summer, Morrall slipped and the mower sliced off his big toe. Unfortunately, it didn't help his throwing arm. In 1962, the Lions traded Ninowski back to the Browns for Milt Plum, who quickly became No. 1 even though some of his teammates openly disliked him. Plum was a gentle, quiet sort whose pipe-smoking quickly made him the butt of team jokes.

He threw an interception that cost the Lions a historic 9-7 loss to Green Bay in 1962, and any thoughts that he might lead the Lions anywhere were dispelled. Angry teammates berated him in the postgame locker room. Alex Karras, the volatile tackle, flung his helmet and narrowly missed hitting Plum's head. George Wilson accepted the blame for the fateful pass and tried to salvage Plum. Largely in answer to player demands, Morrall became the No.

1 quarterback in 1963, but the next season, Wilson gave the job to Plum again. "You can't win a championship with a guy like Morrall," Wilson explained. Soon, coach and quarterback were gone, and Don Shula, once a Lions assistant coach, proved Wilson wrong. Shula later started Morrall at quarterback at Baltimore, then at Miami when Bob Griese was injured, and won NFL championships in both places. Not all quarterbacks lose public favor because of failure to read defenses or connect with receivers.

Karl Sweetan was smart enough in most respects so that in the great debate over who should start at quarterback, he was an instant winner over Plum. Alas, Sweetan made his biggest headlines over his arguments with girlfriends. The cops wearied of him and so did the Lions, who figured it wise to hustle him out of town after the 1967 season. He played for the New Orleans Saints in 1968 and eventually became a card dealer in Las Vegas. Plum also was gone in 1968, to the Los Angeles Rams.

For the next seven years, Bill Munson, a former Ram, and Greg Landry, the No. 1 draft pick in 1968, took turns being the Lions' quarterback-of-the-season. They were joined in 1975 by Joe Reed, the country-and-western singing quarterback. It happens that way when quarterbacks and a team can't win enough to satisfy anybody. Munson might win, then get injured or flop; whichever, it seemed his pattern.

In the intervals, Landry would do the same. For a while, Landry was immensely popular with the public. Not only was he big and handsome, he was a powerful runner who gave the offense another dimension. All that ended abruptly; a torn knee restricted his running, and he became just another guy in the huddle. Never did Munson or Landry make anyone confident they would make the team a winner.

Nor has that situation changed. Almost every year since the departure of Munson (after the '76 season) and Landry (after 78), the Lions have designated a different player as their No. 1 quarterback. They got Gary Danielson in 1976; his first game as a starter was in 1977; he became the starter in 1978. Jeff Komlo was drafted in 1979; he started 14 games that season.

Then it was Danielson starting every game in 1980, followed by Eric Hippie, who started 10 games in 1981; Danielson again, starting five of the nine games in 1982, the strike season; and Hippie once more in 1983. So, OK, coach Monte Clark was fickle about his quarterbacks. He tried Danielson again in 1984, but the next year, Danielson was traded to Cleveland and Hippie was back in charge. Hippie stayed until he was cut during the 1989 season. Don't look now, but we're back into it A .4 Lions' Taylor banned, flunked drug test How often have the Lions changed quarterbacks? Check it out.

Here is a look at their quarterbacks since 1950, with the team's regular-season record, games started and passing statistics. YEAR RECORD QB GS CMP ATT YDS 1950 60 FredEnke NA 22 53 424 Bobby Layne NA 152 336 2323 1951 7-4-1 Bobby Layne 12 152 332 2403 1952 9-3-0 Bobby Layne NA 139 287 1999 Jim Hardy NA 28 59 434 1953 10-2-0 Bobby Layne NA 125 273 2088 TomDublinskl NA 14 30 174 1954 9-2-1 Bobby Layne NA 135 246 1818 TomDublinskl NA 77 138 1073 1955 3-9-0 Bobby Layne NA 143 270 1830 Harry Gilmer NA 58 122 633 1956 9-3-0 Bobby Layne NA 129 244 1909 Harry Gilmer NA 27 46 303 1957 8-4-0 Bobby Layne NA 87 179 1169 TobinRote NA 76 177 1070 1958 4-7-1 TobinRote NA 118 257 1678 Earl Morrall NA 25 78 463 1959 3-8-1 Earl Morrall NA 65 137 1102 TobinRote NA 62 162 861 1960 7-5-0 Jim Ninowski NA 134 283 1599 Earl Morrall NA 32 49 423 1961 8-5-1 Jim Ninowski NA 117 247 1921 Earl Morrall NA 69 150 909 1962 11-3-0 Milt Plum 14 179 325 2378 Earl Morrall 0 32 52 449 1963 5-8-1 Earl Morrall 11 174 328 2621 Milt Plum 3 27 77 339 1964 7-5-2 Milt Rum 11 154 287 2241 Earl Morrall 3 50 91 588 1965 6-7-1 Milt Plum 14 143 308 1710 1966 4-9-1 Karl Sweetan 8 157 309 1809 Milt Plum 6 82 146 943 1967 5-7-2 Milt Plum 7 86 172 925 Karl Sweetan 7 74 177 901 1968 4-8-2 Bill Munson 12 181 329 2311 Greg Landry 2 23 48 338 1969 9-4-1 Bill Munson 7 84 166 1062 Greg Landry 7 80 160 853 1970 10-4-0 Bill Munson 8 84 158 1049 Greg Landry 6 83 156 1072 1971 7-6-1 Greg Landry 14 136 261 2237 Bill Munson 0 21 38 216 1972 8-5-1 Greg Landry 14 134 268 2066 Bill Munson 0 20 35 194 1973 6-7-1 Bill Munson 7 95 187 1129 Greg Landry 7 70 128 908 1974 7-7-0 Bill Munson 11 166 292 1874 Greg Landry '3 49 82 572 1975 7-7-0 Joe Reed 8 86 191 1181 Bill Munson 3 65 109 626 Greg Landry 3 31 56 403 1976 6-8-0 Greg Landry 12 168 291 2191 Joe Reed 2 32 62 425 1977 6-8-0 Greg Landry 11 135 240 1359 Gary Danielson 2 42 100 445 Joe Reed 1 13 40 150 1978 7-9-0 Gary Danielson 11 199 351 2294 Greg Landry 5 48 77 452 1979 2-14-0 JeffKomio 14 183 368 2238 Joe Reed 1 14 32 164 Jerry Golsteyn 1 2 9 16 Scott Hunter 0 18 41 321 1980 9-7-0 Gary Danielson 16 244 417 3223 1981 8-8-0 Eric Hippie 10 140 279 2358 Gary Danielson 4 56 96 784 JeffKomio 2 29 57 290 1982 4-5-0 Gary Danielson 5 100 197 1343 Eric Hippie 4 36 86 411 1983 9-7-0 Eric Hippie 16 204 387 2577 Gary Danielson 0 59 113 720 1984 4-11-1 Gary Danielson 13 252 410 3076 Eric Hippie 2 16 38 246 JohnWitkowski 1 13 34 210 Mike Machurek 0 14 43 193 1985 7-9-0 Eric Hippie 15 223 406 2952 Joe Ferguson 1 31 54 364 1986 5-11-0 Eric Hippie 10 192 305 1919 Joe Ferguson 4 73 155 941 Chuck Long 2 21 40 247 1987 4-11-0 Chuck Long 12 232 416 2598 1988 4-12-0 Rusty Hilger 9 126 306 1558 Chuck Long 7 75 141 856 1989 7-9-0 Rodney Peete 8 103 195 1479 BobGagliano 7 117 232 1671 Eric Hippie 1 7 18 90 Chuck Long 0 2 5 42 back. Fontes also said he might leave a roster vacancy for Sunday's game. Taylor had eight solo tackles and two assists in two games this season; he made 57 tackles and an interception last season. The NFL's action was particularly hard on fellow cornerback LeRoy Irvin, who signed with the Lions as a free agent last summer.

Irvin, who was suspended 30 days for drug use while he was with the Rams in 1989, admitted he was shaken by Taylor's ban. "Yeah, it rattles me," Irvin said. "It rattles me big time. I know how powerful the disease is. You know, one day at a time.

"I'm an addict, and I admit it. Terry had made a lot of great strides. I really can't comment on the things that happened, but it's a day-to-day thing. Hopefully he'll get things back together in his life and he'll be back next year." Irvin said he and Taylor roomed together on the road and occasionally went to movies, but "he didn't show any signs to me and I was with him a lot," Irvin said. "I spent time with him.

You could tell (if he had been using drugs). You could see the signs if you know what you're looking for." LIONS, from Page ID of Phoenix and Frank Warren of New Orleans. Under NFL rules, a player gets a warning and appropriate treatment for his first positive test for drug abuse, a 30-day or four-game suspension for his second and banishment for the third. Taylor tested positive twice during his five seasons at Seattle. He was suspended Aug.

31 through Sept. 16, 1988. When the Lions acquired Taylor in a trade for fullback James Jones on Aug. 31, 1989, they were aware of his condition and knew he would be tested weekly for the rest of his NFL career. "Terry has been nothing but great," Fontes said.

"His work ethic, his habits, everything has been super. I think he's been testing for two years regularly, and he's been clean." But Taylor apparently tested dirty sometime in August. He had a hearing with NFL commissioner Paul Taglia-bue on Aug. 28, and at the request of either Taylor or his attorney, Jack Mills of Boulder, he requested and was granted a re-test of the sample that had tested positive. With all the steps completed, Taylor was informed he would be banned from the NFL.

Fontes and Schmidt were informed by the league office Wednesday night, and Taylor did not report to practice Thursday. The NFL does not reveal the substance to which Taylor tested positive, but Schmidt said it was not alcohol. Marijuana, cocaine, opiates (heroin) and phencyclidine (PCP) all are on the NFL's list of prohibited substances. An NFL spokesman said Taylor would receive his regular paycheck for Sunday's game at Tampa Bay because he had practiced Wednesday. That will be his last check, however.

League rules prohibit teams from paying players who are suspended for drug violations. Taylor's contract called for him to be paid about $500,000 this season, which means he will forfeit about $406,250. The loss of Taylor compounds the Lions' personnel problems. Fontes already had planned to face the Buccaneers without three starters inside linebacker Chris Spielman (shoulder surgery), free safety Bennie Blades (sprained knee) and nose tackle Jerry Ball (sprained ankle). Fontes indicated that Bruce McNorton, a nine-year veteran, probably will replace Taylor at left corner- mm S3 5 3i i SALE WE'RE SgwfciX VISING 0UR End of Season Sale Sept.

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